PARTY PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER 179

"Who is it?" Ito called. "Saionji-san? What-? What is this? My!
All these beautiful girls!"

Ito, characteristically stroking his beard, asked: "What is this, Saionji-
san, this sudden invasion?"

"Huh." Saionji looked at the geishas. "What do you say?"

"Genro—" Ocama began. Then all her comrades burst into a loud
chorus: "Genro, a happy birthday to you, and many more happy ones."

"I never thought of celebrating my birthday this way! Thanks to
you all."

He grasped Saionji's hand. "Oh, thank you!"

Tears of joy blinded him as he looked into Saionji's face.

Then he greeted Okiku and the others.

The members of his household came to receive the unexpected guests.
The villa was dedicated to merrymaking. All the paper screens were
removed to convert the many rooms into one.

"Genro Ito, we've brought everything, food in orizume and sake.
We did not want to bother your servants too much. The only thing
your cook need do is heat sake."

Everything was arranged. Ito and his wife, surrounded by the Saion-
jis, Takekoshi, Sakai and Kunigita, faced the two rows of geisha and
the Oiso beach.

First the entertainers played the samisen together and sang Jyric
Takasago, the hope for a long and happy life.

Warm sake was served in small cups. The party became livelier and
noisier every minute. Now half the geishas danced to the samisens,
tabors and drums; the others danced a fast and light cappore and then
some Kyoto dances.

Everyone present exchanged sakazuki with the Genro. Ito became
expansive*

During the intervals of the music and song he conversed with Saionji
and Okiku. He suddenly asked her: "Will you sing for us?"

"Well, Genro, I have been out of practice so long and I am getting
old—"

"No, no, don't be too modest. I know your ability. Just one, and I
won't ask you any more. Don't you remember after Saionji-san came
back from France and met you with me? That night your perform*
auce was simply superb, I still recall some of it. That was the night he
snatched you away from me." He laughed and shook his head. Saionji
beamed. ,

When Saionji encouraged her, Okiku consented and said: